Leeds man threatened love rival in raid

Tony Gardner

A jealous boyfriend hired a gang of men to force their way into the home of his ex-partner’s new lover before threatening him with a fake handgun.

Adam Collins, 23, was jailed for eight years and two months over the raid at the victim’s home in Cross Gates, Leeds.

Leeds Crown Court heard Collins became angry when he discovered that his former partner of five years was in a relationship with someone else.

Philip Adams said Collins made threatening phone calls to the woman on September 4 last year before sending an image of a black handgun to her mobile phone.

The woman and her new partner were so concerned that they went to a police station to report it. Collins then turned up outside his rival’s home later that evening with three other men after using social media to find out his address.

He shouted threats before the gang smashed down the door.

Once inside they smashed windows and destroyed a television. The victim used a set of step ladders to fend the men off as they tried to get up the staircase.

During the struggle Collins produced what appeared to be a gun and pulled the trigger about four times. The victim heard the sound of gas being discharged from the weapon.

The men then left and police were contacted. Collins was arrested and later bailed.

Collins pleaded guilty to aggravated burglary, possession of an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence and two offences of making threats to kill. At the time of the offences he was subject to a suspended prison sentence for assaulting his ex partner.

Ian Cook, mitigating, said Collins was struggling to cope with the death of his mother at the time of the offences as well as the breakdown of the relationship with his partner.